KAISERSLAUTERN Germany -- The finest praise that any actor or singer can receive is a standing ovation.
Winning a little hardware isn't bad as well, such as a Topper trophy.
Installation Management Command-Europe recognized its best community theater performances during the annual Topper Awards ceremony held April 24 at Armstrong's Club on U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz.
Almost 50 awards went to individuals and troupes for their technical, musical, acting, artistic and directing achievements when producing 16 shows at military installations located throughout Belgium, Italy and Germany.
The Toppers shine a spotlight on those who take the stage as well as many who work behind the scenes, with all involved giving their time freely, whether as a backstage crew member, designer, technician, usher, performer, director or musician. Overall last year, some 3,000 people contributed more than 300,000 volunteer hours in producing plays, musicals and special events held on region installations.
"These folks do so much for our communities," said Michael Formica, director of IMCOM-Europe. "We cannot thank them enough for providing such quality entertainment for our enjoyment."
The 2016 Topper Awards winners are:
BEST MAKE-UP FOR A PLAY
Meaghan Rhymer, Stage Door, The Stuttgart Theatre Center
BEST HAIR AND WIG DESIGN
Nichole Soren, Stage Door, The Stuttgart Theatre Center
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Cindy Krewson, Death of a Salesman, Kaiserslautern's KMC Onstage
BEST SET DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Dan LaMorte, The Lucky Spot, The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
BEST SOUND DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Anthony Medina, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Mary-Louise Manning, The Lucky Spot, The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
BEST STAGE PROPERTIES AND DRESSING FOR A PLAY
Cheryl Navo and Eric Craven, Death of a Salesman, Kaiserslautern's KMC Onstage
BEST TECHNICAL DIRECTOR FOR A PLAY
Thomas Reich, The Lucky Spot, The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY Olivier Giguad, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST MAKE-UP FOR A MUSICAL
Meagan Noranbrock, Amy Shafer and Michelle Susca-House, The Fantasticks, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL
Eric Danzeiser, Baby, the Musical, Baumholder's Hilltop Theater
BEST SET DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL
Vikki Hanrahan, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ansbach's Terrace Playhouse
BEST SOUND DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL
Barry Robinson, Guys and Dolls, Vicenza's Soldiers' Theatre
BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL
Dawn Park, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Grafenwoehr Performing Arts Center
BEST STAGE PROPERTIES AND DRESSING FOR A MUSICAL
Karin Asselstine, Schoolhouse Rock Live! Kaiserslautern's KMC Onstage
BEST TECHNICAL DIRECTOR FOR A MUSICAL
Baby, the Musical, Baumholder's Hilltop Theater
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Joanne Holbrook, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Grafenwoehr Performing Arts Center
BEST INSTRUMENTALIST
Valerie Cribbs (Harp), The Fantasticks, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST KEYBOARD PLAYER
Alex Nitschke, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ansbach's Terrace Playhouse
BEST ORCHESTRA OR MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT
The Fantasticks, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Mindy Malenius, Baby, the Musical, Baumholder's Hilltop Theater
BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Brian G. Buckley, The Fantasticks, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse.
BEST HAIR AND WIG DESIGN
Nichole Soren, Stage Door, The Stuttgart Theatre Center
BEST ENSEMBLE FOR A PLAY
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST MILITARY ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Airman First Class Jessica Lynne Hoyle (Maggie), Lend Me A Tenor, Baumholder's Hilltop Theater
BEST MILITARY ACTOR IN A PLAY
Tie:
Senior Airman Eli Rios (Turnip Moss), The Lucky Spot, The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
Senior Airman Micajah McCollough (George Gibbs), Our Town, Aviano Community Theater, Aviano Air Force Base.
BEST YOUTH PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Olivia Carroll (Judith Canfield), Stage Door, The Stuttgart Theatre Center
BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Tierra Maull (Mrs. Muller), Doubt, Grafenwoehr Performing Arts Center
BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Sterling Munro (Cheswick), One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Jacqui Haggerty (Maria), Lend Me A Tenor, Baumholder's Hilltop Theater
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Cody Smith (Billy Bibbit), One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Tracy Coffey (Terry Randall), Stage Door, The Stuttgart Theatre Center
BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY
Peter Hofmann (Reed Hooker), The Lucky Spot, The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
BEST CHORUS MEMBER IN A MUSICAL
Spec. Matthew Wheeler, Guys and Dolls, Vicenza's Soldiers' Theatre
BEST DEBUT IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL
Spec. Stanley Holling Jr. (Freddy Benson), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Grafenwoehr Performing Arts Center
BEST ENSEMBLE FOR A MUSICAL
The Fantasticks, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST MILITARY PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Staff Sgt. Chris Jacobs (Benny Southstreet), Guys and Dolls, Vicenza's Soldiers' Theatre
BEST FEMALE YOUTH PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Eliana Colletti (Cinderella), Into The Woods, Aviano Community Theater, Aviano Air Force Base.
BEST MALE YOUTH PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Kaden Senkbeil (BB), Schoolhouse Rock Live! Kaiserslautern's KMC Onstage
BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Alice Santo (Little Becky Two Shoes), Urinetown, The Musical, SHAPE Players
BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Philippe Michael Augustin (The Old Actor; Henry), The Fantasticks, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Karen Messaros (Marcy Park), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ansbach's Terrace Playhouse
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
PJ Schuepbach-Ahearn (Leaf Coneybear), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ansbach's Terrace Playhouse
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Tie:
Brittany Stidham (Lizzie Fields), Baby, the Musical, Baumholder's Hilltop Theater
Julie-Rose E. Tedrick (Baker's Wife), Into The Woods, Aviano Community Theater, Aviano Air Force Base.
BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Jeremiah Ward (The Boy; Matt), The Fantasticks. Amelia Earhart Playhouse
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Judges' Choice Award)
Edward Martin for original music for The Lucky Spot, The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
Outstanding Stage Combat & Violence design, The Lucky Spot, The SHAPE Players Performing Arts Center
BEST PLAY
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Wiesbaden's Amelia Earhart Playhouse
BEST MUSICAL
Baby, the Musical, Baumholder's Hilltop Theater
JAMES T. MARTIN ENTERTAINMENT AWARD
Mr. Tim Higdon
Social Sharing